Apparatus for reducing fat content of pan-cooked foods

ABSTRACT

A pan holder apparatus includes a pan-support assembly for holding a cooking vessel, a riser assembly disposed at a first edge of the pan-support assembly, the riser assembly having a first height for inclining the pan-support assembly at a first incline angle, and at least one retention assembly disposed at a second opposite edge of the pan-support assembly, the at least one retention assembly having a second height for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off the pan-support assembly inclined by the riser at an angle relative to a level surface, the second height being less than the first height.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of food preparation, and more particularly to a pan holder for reducing the fat content of pan-cooked foods.

BACKGROUND

The consumption of fatty foods is a well known cause of weight gain, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and is generally understood to be part of an unhealthy diet. A large portion of a food's fat content may be removed as drippings rendered in the process of cooking the food by heat. But whereas the drippings rendered during grilling or broiling are naturally and permanently separated from the cooked food, the drippings of pan-cooked foods are inevitably retained by the pan and reabsorbed by the cooked food if not otherwise removed. Furthermore, the oils and greases used to saute or pan-fry meats and vegetables are another source of reducible fat content in such cooked foods. Given the attendant benefits of a reduced-fat diet, the removal of fatty drippings and oils commonly associated with pan-cooked foods is highly desirable.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an embodiment of the apparatus includes a pan-support assembly for holding a cooking vessel, a riser assembly disposed at a first edge of the pan-support assembly, the riser assembly having a first height for inclining the pan-support assembly at a first incline angle, and at least one retention assembly disposed at a second opposite edge of the pan-support assembly. The at least one retention assembly may include a second height for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off the pan-support assembly inclined by the riser at an angle relative to a level surface, the second height being less than the first height.

The embodiment of the apparatus may further include a metal rod joined at its ends and bent at four corners to form a rectangular frame, the rectangular frame having a first pair of congruent angles, one of the first pair of angles formed on each of the long sides of the rectangular frame at identical distances from a first short end of the rectangular frame. The first pair of angles may be bent in a first direction to form an L-shaped frame. The lower-leg of the L-shaped frame includes two parallel sections and a lateral section of metal rod, the L-shaped frame having a second pair of congruent angles, one of the second pair of angles formed on each of the long sides of the L-shaped frame at identical distances from a second opposite end of the L-shaped frame, the second pair of angles bent in a second direction opposite the first direction to form a Z-shaped frame. The upper-leg of the Z-shaped frame includes two parallel sections and a lateral section of metal rod, and when the Z-shaped metal frame is placed horizontally on a level surface, two parallel lengths of metal rod provide an inclined pan-support assembly, a first leg of the Z-shaped frame provides a riser assembly for inclining said pan-support assembly at an angle relative to said level surface, and a second leg of said Z-shaped frame provides a retention assembly for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off said inclined pan-support assembly.

The embodiment of the apparatus may further include a middle region, the middle region including at least two middle region parallel rod sections, a first end region, the first end region bent away from the middle region in a first direction, the first end region having a first height and including two first end parallel rod sections joined along an edge of each of the two first end parallel rod sections farthest from the middle region by a first perpendicular rod section, and a second end region, the second end region bent away from the middle region in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second end region having a second height and including two second end parallel rod sections joined along an edge of each of the two second end parallel rod sections farthest from the middle region by a second perpendicular rod section, the middle region, first end region, and second end region forming a continuously formed inclined z-shaped structure for supporting a cooking vessel when positioned on a level surface.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The disclosed invention will be understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the present disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1A is a top/side view of a Z-shaped pan holder comprised of a metal wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a top/side view of a first orientation for a Z-shaped pan holder comprised of a metal wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a top/side view of an orientation for a Z-shaped pan holder comprised of a metal wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a view depicting use of the present disclosed Z-shaped pan holder to facilitate separation of drippings from a pan-cooked food item in the pan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying figures. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of an apparatus useful for reducing the fat content of pan-cooked foods are shown.

FIGS. 1A through 1C show views of a first embodiment for a Z-shaped pan holder 100 comprising a rectangular frame formed into the “Z” shape. The pan holder 100 may include a pan-support assembly 110 for partially supporting or holding a cooking vessel, a riser assembly 130, 140 formed from a first pair of parallel lengths of rod joined at one end by a horizontal length of rod disposed at a first edge of the pan-support assembly 110, the riser assembly 130, 140 having a first height for inclining the pan-support assembly 110 at a first incline angle; and at least one retention assembly 160, 170 disposed at a second opposite edge of the pan-support assembly, the at least one retention assembly 160, 170 having a second height for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off the pan-support assembly 110 inclined by the riser assembly 130, 140 at an angle relative to a level surface, the second height being less than the first height.

The top plan view in FIG. 1B reveals the rectangular shape of the resultant Z-shaped pan holder 100. A rectangular frame may be a single, continuously formed length of metal rod or wire joined at its ends and including four 90-degree bends 190 forming corners of the rectangle. To this end, the pan-support assembly 110, riser assembly 130, 140, and at least one retention assembly 160, 170 are cast from a single material.

The rectangular metal frame is bent at a first location along its length dimension in a first direction by a first pair of congruent angles β, thereby creating an L-shaped frame. The first pair of congruent angles β may be acute, obtuse, or right angles. The resultant L-shaped frame is again bent at a second location along its length in a second direction opposite the first direction by a second pair of congruent angles α, thereby creating a Z-shaped frame 100 shown by the perspective view in FIG. 1A. The second pair of congruent angles α may be acute, obtuse, or right angles.

As described, the resultant Z-shaped pan holder 100 includes a riser assembly 130, 140 section at a first end of the frame, the riser assembly 130, 140 having a first pair of parallel lengths of rod joined at one end by a horizontal length of rod. The riser assembly 130, 140 functions to incline pan-support assembly 110, formed from a second pair of parallel lengths of rod, at an angle 180 relative to a level surface. The pan holder 100 also includes a retention assembly 160, 170 at the opposite end of the frame, the retention assembly 160, 170 having a third pair of parallel lengths of rod joined at one end by a horizontal length of rod (e.g., section 170 of retention assembly) that may be bowed outward. The first pair of parallel lengths of rod of the riser assembly ( e.g., 130) may be longer than the third pair of parallel lengths of rod of the retention assembly (e.g., 160) such that the height of the riser assembly 130, 140 is greater than the height of the retention assembly 160, 170. The retention assembly 160, 170 may function to secure a pan placed upon the pan-support assembly 110 from sliding onto a surface upon which the pan holder 100 is placed. The retention assembly 160, 170 may also incline said pan-support assembly 110 at an angle relative to said level surface upon a 180-degree rotation of the apparatus about a lateral or longitudinal axis with respect to a level surface such that the riser assembly 130, 140 and retention assembly 160, 170 are inverted creating a second incline angle less than the first incline angle.

In another wire frame embodiment of a Z-shaped pan holder 200, the parallel sections of rod that provide a pan-support assembly 210 may include an outwardly curved section 215 (e.g., curved away from the pan-support assembly) to increase stability of a pan placed thereon, as shown in FIG. 2A. Additionally, the lateral section of rod (e.g., 240) connecting the parallel sections of rod (e.g., 230) of the riser assembly may be curved away from the pan-support assembly. The height of the riser assembly rods 230 may be greater than the height of the retention assembly rods 260 and may incline the pan-support assembly 210, 215 at an angle 280. As in FIGS. 1A-1C, the riser assembly 230, 240 of FIGS. 2A-2B may function to incline the pan-support assembly at an angle relative to a level surface, while the retention assembly 260, 270 may function to prevent a pan placed upon the inclined surface of the pan-support assembly from sliding down the surface of the pan support assembly. Additionally, a 180-degree rotation of the pan holder 200 about its longitudinal or lateral axis may invert the riser assembly and retention assembly, respectively. Accordingly, a retention assembly may function as a shorter riser for inclining the pan-support assembly 210, 215 at a lesser angle, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Any of the pan-support assembly, riser assembly, and retention assembly may be composed of at least a heat-resistant metal, steel, wood, ceramic, porcelain, wire-mesh, fabric, plastic, silicon, rubber, or carbon-fiber material. It is further contemplated that at least one of said pan-support assembly, riser, and retention element may also include a non-stick coating, a non-slip coating, or a combination thereof. Anti-skid surfaces may be disposed along edges of the riser assembly and retention assembly to increase friction between the pan-holder 100 and a countertop or level surface upon which it may be placed.

Dimensions for a pan-support assembly, a riser assembly, and/or a retention assembly of a Z-shaped metal frame pan holder 100 may be varied to yield, inter alia, different shapes and sizes for the pan-support assembly 110 and a range of inclination angles created by the riser assembly or, alternatively, the retention assembly. A Z-shaped metal frame pan holder 100 may be painted or include a non-stick coating, a non-slip coating, a heat-resistant coating, or a combination thereof. Anti-skid surfaces may be disposed along bottom and top edges of the riser assembly and retention assembly to increase friction between the pan holder and countertop surface. Moreover, the pan holder frame may be composed of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, steel, wood, ceramic, porcelain, heat-resistant plastic, silicon, or rubber, or a carbon-fiber material.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is a Z-shaped pan holder 100 useful for reducing the fat content 330 of food items 320 cooked in a pan 310 or like-shaped cooking vessels. FIG. 3 depicts the pan holder apparatus 100 as used to facilitate a separation of drippings 330 from a recently pan-cooked food item 320. Placed horizontally on a level countertop, the pan holder 100 provides an inclined surface upon which a pan 310 containing a cooked or sauteed food 320 may be placed. The outwardly curved lateral section 170 of the retention element may be formed to fit the rounded front edge of a pan. A food item may be cooked or sauteed in a pan over a stovetop range or like heat source. Upon removal of the pan from a heat source, the pan is placed directly onto the inclined pan-support assembly of the apparatus, and any drippings rendered or used in the cooking process are drawn by gravity to the lowermost portion of the pan where they are separated from the cooked food. A utensil may also be used to direct food 320 to the upper portion of the inclined pan 310, thereby allowing drippings to settle in the lower portion of the pan before they are absorbed by the cooked food. Separated drippings may be removed from the pan and disposed of by using a paper towel, turkey baster, or other or other means may be subsequently employed to remove and dispose of the collected drippings.

It is believed that the present disclosure and its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. Accordingly, the form described is merely explanatory, and claims based on the present disclosure are intended to include such changes. 

1. A pan holder apparatus, comprising: a pan-support assembly for holding a cooking vessel; a riser assembly disposed at a first edge of the pan-support assembly, the riser assembly having a first height for inclining the pan-support assembly at a first incline angle; and at least one retention assembly disposed at a second opposite edge of the pan-support assembly, the at least one retention assembly having a second height for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off the pan-support assembly inclined by the riser at an angle relative to a level surface, the second height being less than the first height.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pan-support assembly is composed of at least a metal material, a steel material, a wood material, a ceramic material, a porcelain material, a wire-mesh material, a fabric material, a plastic material, a silicon material, a rubber material, or a carbon-fiber material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser assembly is composed of at least a metal material, a steel material, a wood material, a ceramic material, a porcelain material, a wire-mesh material, a fabric material, a plastic material, a silicon material, a rubber material, or a carbon-fiber material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly is composed of at least a metal material, a steel material, a wood material, a ceramic material, a porcelain material, a wire-mesh material, a fabric material, a plastic material, a silicon material, a rubber material, or a carbon-fiber material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pan-support assembly further includes a non-stick coating, a non-slip coating, or a combination thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser assembly further includes a non-stick coating, a non-slip coating, or a combination thereof.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly further includes a non-stick coating, a non-slip coating, or a combination thereof.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a plurality of anti-skid surfaces disposed along bottom and top edges of the riser assembly and the retention assembly.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pan-support assembly includes a planar surface, a concave surface, a circular surface, a pan-shaped surface, a ring-shaped surface, or a combination thereof.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly functions to incline said pan-support assembly at an angle relative to said level surface upon a 180-degree rotation of the apparatus about a lateral or longitudinal axis with respect to a level surface such that the riser assembly and retention assembly are inverted creating a second incline angle less than the first incline angle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pan-support assembly, riser assembly, and at least one retention assembly are cast from a single material.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said single material is a metal material, a wooden material, a ceramic material, a porcelain material, a wire-mesh material, a fabric material, or a plastic, silicon, rubber, or carbon-fiber material.
 13. An apparatus, comprising: a metal rod joined at its ends and bent at four corners to form a rectangular frame, said rectangular frame having a first pair of congruent angles, one of said first pair of angles formed on each of the long sides of said rectangular frame at identical distances from a first short end of said rectangular frame, said first pair of angles bent in a first direction to form an L-shaped frame, the lower-leg of said L-shaped frame further including two parallel sections and a lateral section of metal rod and said L-shaped frame having a second pair of congruent angles, one of said second pair of angles formed on each of the long sides of said L-shaped frame at identical distances from a second opposite end of said L-shaped frame, said second pair of angles bent in a second direction opposite the first direction to form a Z-shaped frame, wherein the upper-leg of said Z-shaped frame includes two parallel sections and a lateral section of metal rod; wherein, when said Z-shaped metal frame is placed horizontally on a level surface, two parallel lengths of metal rod provide an inclined pan-support assembly, a first leg of said Z-shaped frame provides a riser assembly for inclining said pan-support assembly at an angle relative to said level surface, and a second leg of said Z-shaped frame provides a retention assembly for preventing a cooking vessel from sliding off said inclined pan-support assembly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first pair congruent of angles and said second pair congruent of angles are right angles.
 15. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lateral metal rod section of said retention assembly and the lateral metal rod section of said riser assembly are bowed outward.
 16. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of the two lengths of metal rod providing an inclined pan-support assembly are bowed outward.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said metal rod includes a non-slip coating, a non-stick coating, a heat-resistant coating, or any combination thereof.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the retention assembly functions to incline said pan-support assembly at an angle relative to said level surface upon a 180-degree rotation of the apparatus about a lateral or longitudinal axis with respect to a level surface such that the riser assembly and retention assembly are inverted creating a second incline angle less than the first incline angle.
 19. An apparatus comprising: a middle region, the middle region including at least two middle region parallel rod sections; a first end region, the first end region bent away from the middle region in a first direction, the first end region having a first height and including two first end parallel rod sections joined along an edge of each of the two first end parallel rod sections farthest from the middle region by a first perpendicular rod section; and a second end region, the second end region bent away from the middle region in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second end region having a second height and including two second end parallel rod sections joined along an edge of each of the two second end parallel rod sections farthest from the middle region by a second perpendicular rod section, the middle region, first end region, and second end region forming a continuously formed inclined z-shaped structure for supporting a cooking vessel when positioned on a level surface. 